New Hope to install pastor

Nanci G. Hutson

Published 11:09 pm, Saturday, May 17, 2014

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, has a laugh while teaching Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, has a laugh while teaching Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, reads from the Bible during Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, reads from the Bible during Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Roxanne Dunkley, 46, of Danbury, listens as Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn., on Wednesday night, May 14, 2014. Parker will be installed as the new pastor of New Hope on May, 25th. less

Roxanne Dunkley, 46, of Danbury, listens as Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn., on Wednesday night, May 14, 2014. Parker will be ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, stands in the entrance way of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Ct, on Wednesday, May 14, 2104. Parker will be installed as the new pastor for New Hope on May 25th. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, stands in the entrance way of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Ct, on Wednesday, May 14, 2104. Parker will be installed as the new pastor for New Hope on May ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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A woman takes notes during Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on May 14, 2014. The class was being taught by Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, who will be installed ass the new pastor of New Hope, on May 25th. less

A woman takes notes during Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on May 14, 2014. The class was being taught by Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, who will be installed ass the ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 11 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 12 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Barbara Joseph, of Danbury, listens as Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn., on Wednesday night, May 14, 2014. Parker will be installed as the new pastor of New Hope on May, 25th. less

Barbara Joseph, of Danbury, listens as Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn., on Wednesday night, May 14, 2014. Parker will be ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 15 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 16 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 17 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 18 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 19 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 20 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 21 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that.

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 23 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 24 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new pastor of New Hope on Sunday, May 25th. He has been the interim pastor there since November of 2012 and served as the Assistant Pastor at Union Baptist Church, in Stamford, before that. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, teaches Bible study class in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on Wednesday, night, May 14, 2014. Parker is being installed as the new ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 25 of 29

A woman takes notes during Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on May 14, 2014. The class was being taught by Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, who will be installed ass the new pastor of New Hope, on May 25th. less

A woman takes notes during Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on May 14, 2014. The class was being taught by Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, who will be installed ass the ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 26 of 29

A woman takes notes during Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on May 14, 2014. The class was being taught by Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, who will be installed ass the new pastor of New Hope, on May 25th. less

A woman takes notes during Bible study class at New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Conn, on May 14, 2014. The class was being taught by Reverend Leroy Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, who will be installed ass the ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 27 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, stands in the entrance way of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Ct, on Wednesday, May 14, 2104. Parker will be installed as the new pastor for New Hope on May 25th. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, stands in the entrance way of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Ct, on Wednesday, May 14, 2104. Parker will be installed as the new pastor for New Hope on May ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

Image 28 of 29

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, stands in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Ct, on Wednesday, May 14, 2104. Parker will be installed as the new pastor for New Hope on May 25th. less

Reverend Leroy Gerome Parker, 38, of Bridgeport, stands in the sanctuary of New Hope Baptist Church, in Danbury, Ct, on Wednesday, May 14, 2104. Parker will be installed as the new pastor for New Hope on May ... more

Photo: H John Voorhees III

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New Hope to install pastor

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DANBURY -- The Rev. Leroy Parker wasn't a regular churchgoer as a boy. He didn't get his first Bible until he was 17.

One of five siblings growing up in rural Alabama with a disabled mother, the family priority was putting food on the table, rather than prayer at bedtime and church on Sundays.

But Parker, 38, is convinced that God parlayed his hardscrabble childhood into a ministry.

On Sunday, Parker will be installed as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, just the eighth in its more than 100-year history.

"My call came from God himself,'' said Parker, who was teaching elementary school when he heard God's whispered command to attend divinity school.

"Being a young man, I never would pursue on my own volition," he said. "I didn't choose the ministry -- ministry chose me.''

Parker and his wife, Mistee, a Greenwich elementary school teacher, live in Bridgeport with their 4-year-old twin sons, Ryan and Evan.

More Information

About the Rev. Leroy ParkerAge 38, married to Mistee and father of twin 4-year-old sons, Ryan and Evan.Education: Bachelor's degree in elementary education from Alabama State University, master's of divinity degree from Virginia Union University.Work historyOne year as a fourth-grade language arts teacher in Montgomery, Ala.; seven years as a youth pastor at Hutchinson Missionary Church in Alabama. Children's minister at Second Calvary Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va., while earning his master's degree. In 2006, he moved to Connecticut to serve as executive pastor at Union Baptist Church in Stamford. In December 2012, he was called to serve as the interim at New Hope Baptist in Danbury; hired full-time in November 2013.Theme of his installation: "A Loving Shepherd, A Loyal People, A Longing Community.''Favorite scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,And the day of vengeance of our God;To comfort all who mourn...''

Before his election as senior pastor in November, Parker served as the interim pastor after the departure of his predecessor, the Rev. Ivan Pitts. Since he arrived, the growing multi-cultural congregation has expanded from 500 to 700 members, church officials said.

New Hope Deacon Ed Torian said the congregation is grateful that Parker, selected from a field of 75 applicants, answered what he says is his true calling.

"We're really pleased as punch to have him," Torian said. "He is able to teach and preach for children and grandchildren about the experiences he had, so that we can apply those in our daily life.''

"He has a clear vision for what the Lord has in store for him, and he is leading New Hope's congregation to higher heights and deeper depths,'' Hill said.

Parker's Christian life began when he was a teenager bagging groceries in his hometown store, and a customer who was a local pastor invited him to visit his church.

Parker didn't attend that preacher's church, but the invitation prompted him to seek out another church, which he joined and where he eventually became a junior deacon.

Despite his impoverished background, Parker said he felt God's blessings in those who reached out to his family, and he feels an obligation to pass those on to his parishioners.

"God held me accountable,'' Parker said.

Parker said his goals for the congregation are simple. When people go home after worshipping or studying at New Hope, they should feel they've been in the presence of God and are ready to respond to the world in a godly way.

"I believe that every service there should be some form of transformation after hearing the Lord's word," Parker said.

He said he is humbled and honored by his selection, and welcomes the opportunity to continue New Hope's tradition of community outreach: feeding the hungry, providing child care to working families and sharing scripture through weekly, standing-room-only Bible study.

"When I came as the interim, I never intended to be the pastor," Parker said, noting that by tradition interim pastors are not considered for permanent positions.

But Parker felt he and the congregants had a "great connection.''

"God gave me a heart for the people, and the people a heart for me, and they have given me a chance to do this ministry,'' Parker said.

Deacon Pearlene Johnson is impressed with Parker's credentials -- almost a decade in youth and children's ministry before becoming an executive pastor in Stamford for eight years.

"He has brought a new energy to New Hope,'' Johnson said. "He's very knowledgeable in the word, and he knows how to reach each person at their level.

"He respects the wisdom of the seniors, and at the same time he loves the babies.

"I love him.''

A youthful, health-conscious man with a quick and hearty laugh, Parker can recite scripture from memory. He sees his role as one of "developing disciples'' through study, fellowship and "charismatic worship.''

Parker, too, believes keeping the church relevant in today's world requires more than praise and prayer inside a sanctuary.

"I have a heart for community, and that consists of reaching out to the homeless, the drug addicts and just people in need,'' Parker said. "I want to speak for the marginalized and for people who are voiceless.''

New Hope has a strong tradition of civic activism, and Parker embraces such outreach and will promote its expansion.

"We believe, and I believe, that we need to meet people's needs where they are,'' Parker said.